Aerodynamic toolbox assembly

Abstract

Embodiments provide an aerodynamic toolbox assembly comprising a toolbox coupled to a tractor trailer and an aerodynamic fairing assembly coupled to the toolbox. At least one fairing component extends beyond a selected surface of the toolbox to facilitate aerodynamic air flow past the toolbox during normal operation of the trailer.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. An aerodynamic fairing system for use with a vehicle-mounted toolbox comprising:
 an aerodynamic fairing facility adapted to be coupled to a toolbox mounted to a vehicle, the toolbox comprising a front panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a rear panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, 
 the aerodynamic fairing facility comprising: 
 a first fairing panel for coupling to a selected one of the top panel of the toolbox, the bottom panel of the toolbox, the first side panel of the toolbox and the second side panel of the toolbox, the first fairing panel being configured so as to: extend upward beyond the top panel of the toolbox and a top edge of the front panel along a vertical axis of the vehicle or extend downward beyond the bottom panel of the toolbox and a bottom edge of the front panel along the vertical axis of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       2. The facility of  claim 1  wherein the first fairing panel is further characterized as being pivotally coupled to a selected one of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first side panel and the second side panel, the first fairing panel being configured so as to extend beyond a selected one of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox. 
     
     
       3. The facility of  claim 1  wherein the first fairing panel is further characterized as being configured so as to extend beyond a selected plurality of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox. 
     
     
       4. The facility of  claim 1  wherein the first fairing panel is further characterized as comprising:
 a first front door panel; and 
 a first fairing panel component coupled to the first front door panel, the first fairing panel component being configured so as to extend beyond a selected one of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox. 
 
     
     
       5. The facility of  claim 1  further comprising a second fairing panel pivotally coupled to a selected one of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel, the second fairing panel being configured so as to extend beyond a selected one of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox. 
     
     
       6. The facility of  claim 5  wherein the first fairing panel is further characterized as being configured so as to extend beyond a selected plurality of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox. 
     
     
       7. The facility of  claim 6  wherein:
 the first fairing panel is further characterized as comprising: 
 a first front door panel; and 
 a first fairing panel component coupled to the first front door panel, the first fairing panel component being configured so as to extend beyond a selected one of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox; and 
 the second fairing panel is further characterized as comprising: 
 a second front door panel; and 
 a second fairing panel component coupled to the second front door panel, the second fairing panel component being configured so as to extend beyond a selected one of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox. 
 
     
     
       8. The facility of  claim 7  wherein:
 a first fairing panel coupled to the first front door panel configured so as to extend beyond a selected plurality of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox; and 
 a second fairing panel coupled to the first front door panel configured so as to extend beyond a selected plurality of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox. 
 
     
     
       9. The facility of  claim 1  wherein the toolbox is configured to be variable length. 
     
     
       10. The facility of  claim 1  wherein:
 the selected toolbox panel is further characterized as comprising a receiver socket; and 
 the first fairing panel is further characterized as comprising a plug configured to removably couple to the receiver socket by mating with the receiver socket. 
 
     
     
       11. The facility of  claim 1  wherein the first fairing panel is further characterized as being contoured to direct airflow in a selected first direction with respect to a selected second direction of movement of the aerodynamic fairing facility. 
     
     
       12. The facility of  claim 1  wherein the first fairing panel is further characterized as comprising:
 a first front door panel; and 
 a first fairing panel component coupled to the first front door panel, the first fairing panel component being configured so as to extend beyond a selected one of the top panel, the bottom panel, the first panel and the second panel of the toolbox. 
 
     
     
       13. The facility of  claim 1  wherein the dimensions of the first side panel and the second side panel are different. 
     
     
       14. The facility of  claim 1  wherein a selected one of the first side panel and the second side panel of the toolbox is aerodynamically contoured to direct air flow. 
     
     
       15. The facility of  claim 1  wherein a selected one of the first side panel and the second side panel comprises an aerodynamically-shaped extension of the toolbox.